How to make your own seed starting mix at home!
Before you start growing your next batch of seeds, you’ll definitely want to look into getting some seed starting mix! In this guide today, we’ll teach you how to make your own seed starting mix at home and maybe even save a few dollars rather than spending big on the instant stuff off the shelves!
What is a ‘seed starting mix’?
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
A seed starting mix is a soilless composition of organic materials that provide the perfect nurturing environment for growing seeds. A quality seed starting mix should be able to retain a healthy amount of moisture without being absolutely drenched either, young seeds can still be at risk of rotting when stuck in warm overly damp environments.
Why is using a seed starting mix better than soil?
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
Seed starting mix can be richer in nutrients and is far less likely to become a host to harmful funguses and mold that can eat away at your delicate plants. Not to mention the material is usually lighter since it’s a mixture of large aerating ingredients and finer composted materials; meaning it’s less likely to crush or suffocate young seedlings.
You’ll definitely want to use seed starting mix when working with traditionally difficult plants to grow such as roses, since those already have a low sprouting chance without thinking about issues like suffocation or fungal infections after the fact.
What you’ll need
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
With the more recent controversial outlook on using peat moss in gardening (considering it can take years to grow and we harvest the stuff far more quickly than it can actually replenish itself) we’ll be teaching you how to make seed starting mix peat moss free!
If you’re looking for one with a peat moss recipe, we’re afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere as we strive to make more eco-friendly decisions and encourage you to do the same! So without further ado, here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- ⅖ Compost
- ⅖ Coir
- ⅕ Perlite
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
For those who haven’t come across the term Coir before, it’s the fibrous material sourced from coconut husks which is much more environmentally sustainable to harvest than peat moss.
Usually, Coir is sold in compressed and dehydrated blocks. Due to this, you’ll need to make sure to rehydrate them by soaking them in some water first before adding it to your seed starting mix.
How to make it
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
Essentially, you just have to mix the above listed ingredients together. However, there are a few steps you can take beforehand to make the mixing process easier, and the end result better.
For instance! Before adding in the compost, make sure you break any large chunks down. You can even try passing the compost through a sifter first to ensure all the compost being added is a consistent size and finely broken down. It’s best not to add huge chunks of rotting foods or biodegradable materials directly.
When adding in the Coir (after having rehydrated it in a nice water soaked bath) you can break them apart with your hands so it mixes more evenly rather than having pockets or blocks of Coir.
Click the above image to checkout our seeds!
Finally, when making a large batch of Seed starting mix, you might find it helpful to mix everything together in a large bucket or wheelbarrow if you have it outdoors! The process can get a bit messy, so make sure you’re dressed to muck around and just have fun with it!
Now that you know how to make your own seed starting mix from scratch, why not buy some seeds to plant in it? Click here to shop for some interesting seeds today!
